It has been a great few weeks for me here in Swaziland. I hosted a group from Children’s Hope Chest last week and was reminded again why Jodi and I are here. We are people from all walks of life with the one goal of somehow making a difference here in Swaziland at such a time as this. As you guys know we work with Adventures in Missions (AIM) and Children’s Hope Chest (CHC), www.hopechest.org This trip was a CHC trip of only 4 guys and that included Tom Davis, the president of CHC. Jodi and I connected with these guys and visited like old friends. We are connected because our hearts are broken for the poor and needy, the orphans and the widows, and we stand on behalf of those who cannot stand for themselves…
We visited several of our care points throughout the country. Some are in better shape than others, but the common denominator is kids are being cared for that would otherwise starve without the food provided here. My heart broke anew, when I sat at a homestead of a lady that was dying from HIV/AIDS and TB. It is one thing to bring food to the care points to feed the thousands of orphans; it’s a whole different story sitting down with a dying grandmother in her mud hut.
Here we were at this homestead in the bush, far from the comforts that I depend on every day. The reality is this lady will die soon, and I kept thinking that the one thing we all have in common as humans on this little planet is death. Death is the great Equalizer. Doesn’t matter how hard you try to avoid it.
Here I was, sitting on the red African dirt, smelling the smoke from the fire cooking their meal for the evening – which consisted of beans and a little boiling pot of maize meal to feed the five of them. I looked at the lady sitting on her mat and couldn’t help but think about the fact that she is someone’s mom, someone’s daughter, someone’s sister. The woman opened up about her illness and my heart broke over the harshness of this life. She told us her joints hurt, she couldn’t lift her arms, and she needed someone to help her stand. She had difficulty talking to us, and I couldn’t believe how honest she was.
Two little boys, her grandchildren, were playing in a little tub which served as their bathtub, and they were all smiles, not aware at all of the dire straits they are in. I sat there wondering if their mom is also HIV positive and wondered about their futures.
The grandmother tells us that her biggest struggle is to get someone to take her to a clinic to get daily injections for her TB. Have you ever been in a situation when you feel that whatever you do, it won’t be enough? I patted my pockets down for money, looked in the car for food, and I felt so inadequate – wondering how we could help this lady today. Tom Davis paid the public transport money and immediately met this lady’s most desperate need. This means that for the next 45 days she can restart her regiment of TB shots. We layed hands on her and prayed for her. She was so grateful.
The hour and a half drive home was a silent one, as we all were busy with our own thoughts. You can always look downstream and find someone that is in more need than yourself. I felt so blessed and so saddened at the same time.
The next day I sat with a dear Swazi brother of mine, Elliot, at his homestead in the rural area. Elliot says I am his youngest born brother. We sat under a tree and talked about life. We walked between the rows of corn that was in desperate need of rain and he showed me his land and told me what he dreamed of doing with it. He was proud, almost beaming, and I realized that I have developed a soft spot for Elliot.
I love being here in Africa. I love being in Swaziland. While I love to be part of the lives of many, I mostly enjoy being part of individual’s lives. The masses of needy people can be overwhelming, but Jodi and I want to make a difference in the lives of a few families. So, while we continue to help feed the masses, we want to personally give a lot to a few. When we leave Swaziland, we want to feel that we have truly made a difference in people’s lives…
We continue to thank you for being part of that difference here with us. We can’t be here without your faithful financial support. Thanks to those of you who have joined our team recently. We really appreciate all of you!!!
Love,
Marius, Jodi & Emi
Marius, Jodi and Emi. So good to hear from you all once again. My thoughts are never far from you. We are so thankful that we are able to help support those who can do what you do, so that we can also help make a difference in someone else’s lives. What we give is so little in comparison to your sacrifices, but I am grateful for the opportunity to help.
You are right; death is the one common denominator in all our lives, although with Jesus, we have a hope for a life beyond the pain and suffering of this one, for which I am eternally grateful. I am so thankful he saved my soul and offered me a hope beyond death. I hate to share this news this way, but I’ve been wanting to get in touch with you to let you know; Chris’s father passed away 3 weeks ago. He went peacefully, at home, after a short battle with emphysema. I know you would want to know about it. Chris is doing ok; Gwenell is having a difficult time. Their 55th wedding anniversary was New Year’s Eve, the day we brought him home from the hospital. Please keep us in your prayers, and we will continue our prayers for you all.
May He always be with you.
Bon
This update makes our hearts ache. Thank you for serving our Lord and Savior with so much love and compassion. You truly are making a difference. We love you guys very much.
great job here and we too are so thankful to have you three there in Africa – what an amazing God we serve.
Hello to the three of you! My heart goes out to you and all those you minister to. What you see as “everyday life” there has to be very draining emotionally. I pray for you to continue to have and give spiritual strength. You are a blessing and example of love to all you meet. Keep up the wonderful work you do!
Cindy
“Just another week in Swaziland” is well written about the plight of the Swazi, and it’s the same for the Tswana and many others. It was difficult when I worked in southern Africa more than 25 years ago but apparently even worse now days. Yet in spite of it, to be there, to be serving Christ by serving the people is “another week in the paradise of Africa”. Serving the Lord is looking forward to paradise with Him eternally. You are making a difference to the Swazi and it will remain so long after you are gone. Keep the faith!
Thanks guys for a powerful and moving account of daily life in a part of the world that we may never see – except through your eyes. We’ll share this with our church family this Sunday. Love you. P & A
We heard the cries of her heart when we read about the Grandmother with all of her physical problems. Thank you for being the hands and feet in serving the Lord with your own “cries of your heart”. I am so very proud of both of you for giving up the comforts of home, to spend quality time with the people of Swaziland….. witnessing, hands and feet serving, compassion, prayers, listening, loving on them, feeding them……. the list goes on! Thank you from those of us who cannot go there ourselves. Thank you for allowing God to use you in any way that He sees fit. I continue to lift you and your ministry up to the Lord, dear friends! (The faces and beautiful skin of the children really tug at my heart strings!)
Love,
Virginia
Sounds like you had a great day living the life we were meant to live. Thanks for sharing and for the great pictures. Your hearts and hospitality are a beautiful thing. Can’t wait to see you soon and meet your little precious one!
Thank you for being honest with us and letting us know your real life. Our family keep you guys in our prayer and thoughts daily. Love, Juri
Thankyou for sharing your experiences and thoughts with us. Thankyou for what you do in Swaziland,that you portray the love of Jesus to those in need. I am so proud of you and Jodi and Emi. Love you!